The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi! I'm restoring a Victrola 2-55, an RCA Victrola 2-65 and a Birch model 700. Where is the best place to get diaphragm gaskets and rear flanges for them? I've found them on eBay for #5 orthophonic reproducers but was unsure of what I needed. I haven't seen anything for a Birch. Thank you in advance. ~ Scott

For the Orthophonic reproducers you should make your own out of silicone or butyl rubber. None of the commercially available idolaters are appropriately soft, save for the ones occasionally offered by a seller in Hong Kong.

For the Birch reproducer, a piece of gum rubber tubing of appropriate dimensions will work (that is all that the originals were). If you can't get that, a good substitute may be made of RUBBER (NOT vinyl!) e!ectrical tape.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-2155-Rubber-S ... ctric+tape

Keep in mind, with the Orthophonic diaphragm, the "plunging action" required for proper playback relies on the corrugated area of the diaphragm, and not so much the edge, as illustrated in this gif image:



I know in the UK, the 5a/5b sound boxes, which were patterned after the Orthophonic sound box, but used the same type of needle bar pivot as the #4, were fitted with felt gaskets. The original ones supplied for the Victor Orthophonic sound box were paper-backed rubber.

OrthoFan